6 Diphthongs
Greek vowels can be combined to form a new sound. The same phenomenon can be observed in English words like ‘pair’ or ‘shout’, where two vowels work together to create a sound distinct from that of the individual vowels.
This combination is called a diphthong, ‘double sound’, from the Greek prefix di- (δίς, dis = twice) and (φθογγή, phthongē = sound; recall that double gamma makes an ng sound). The Greek diphthongs are shown below, and spoken out loud, along with an example of a word using each diphthong.
αι καί, kai = and
αu αὐτός, autos = self
ει λείπω, leipо̄ = I leave
ευ εὑρίσκω, heuriskо̄ = I find
οι οἴμοι, oimoi = alas!
ου ἀκούω, akouо̄ = I hear
Other combinations of vowels should be pronounced separately. For example, the iota and epsilon in:
ἱερόν hieron = temple
Breathings appear above the second letter of a diphthong: this explains why the breathing sits above the second letter of αὐτός and εὑρίσκω, but the first letter of ἱερόν.
Activity 4 Speaking aloud (4)
Say the following words, then listen to the pronunciation.
Ἀθηναῖος (= Athenian)
δεῖπνον (= meal)
oὐ (= not)
φεύγω (= I run away)
πλοῖον (= vessel)
Ἰούλιος Καῖσαρ (= Julius Caesar)
Discussion
The words are as follows:
- Ἀθηναῖος (Athēnaios)
- δεῖπνον (deipnon)
- oὐ (ou)
- φεύγω (pheugо̄)
- πλοῖον (ploion)
- Ἰούλιος Καῖσαρ (Ioulios Kaisar)
a.
one
b.
two
c.
three
The correct answer is b.
a.
one
b.
two
c.
three
The correct answer is c.
a.
one
b.
two
c.
three
The correct answer is c.
a.
one
b.
two
c.
three
The correct answer is c.
a.
one
b.
two
c.
three
The correct answer is b.
Discussion
βίος, bios = life
οἰκία, oikia = house
ποιέω, poieо̄ = I make
Οἰδίπους, Oidipous = the Theban king Oedipus
ποιεῖ, poiei = he, she or it makes